Dr. David Whiddon, M.D.
Contact & Location
727-461-6026
Clearwater, FL 33756
Dr. Whiddon performs more knee replacement procedures than 86% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #55 of 406 ranked knee surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Whiddon
Practice. Dr. David Whiddon is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Clearwater, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 90 knee replacements and 71 hip replacements, 161 procedures in all. That is #55 in Florida for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 91 procedures a year to 161, up 77%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 90 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Clearwater has 12 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 56 |
| 2014 | 16 | 32 |
| 2015 | 31 | 35 |
| 2016 | 30 | 45 |
| 2017 | 53 | 67 |
| 2018 | 54 | 78 |
| 2019 | 76 | 91 |
| 2020 | 51 | 55 |
| 2021 | 60 | 70 |
| 2022 | 51 | 104 |
| 2023 | 49 | 103 |
| 2024 | 71 | 90 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims are one payer stream among several, and the share they represent differs by procedure. In 2024 it was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement. Each verified count above is divided by its own procedure's range, and the results are added, to estimate total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count is the definitive, audited figure; this is a range derived from published national volume projections, not a measurement, and an individual practice can sit well outside it: how these ranges are derived, and their sources.
How Dr. Whiddon Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Whiddon's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 77% from 91 procedures in 2013 to 161 in the most recent data.
Hospital Affiliations & Quality
Quality ratings and complication rates are hospital-level metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon performance. Star ratings updated quarterly. Complication data covers a rolling 3-year period.
Patient Resources: Preparing for Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Whiddon
How does Dr. Whiddon's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Whiddon has performed 161 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Florida average of 72 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Whiddon ranks #48 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Whiddon perform?
Dr. Whiddon's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (90 cases) and hip replacement (71 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Whiddon in Clearwater?
Yes. There are 12 orthopedic surgeons in Clearwater in the current Medicare dataset. Patients can compare procedure volumes and specializations to choose the surgeon who best fits their needs. Use the state page to view all Florida surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Whiddon represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on 2024 Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare fee-for-service is only one payer stream, and the share of national volume it represents differs by procedure. In 2024 the share was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Whiddon's total volume across all insurers at roughly 540 to 680 procedures against the 161 verified here. Those shares are derived from published national volume projections rather than quoted from a single publication, and they are estimates with real uncertainty. The OrthoProcedures methodology page shows the full derivation, the sources, and the limits at orthoprocedures.com/data-methodology.html.
Has Dr. Whiddon's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Whiddon's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 91 procedures in 2013 to 161 in the most recent data, a 77% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 167 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Whiddon perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Whiddon's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (90 cases), hip replacement (71 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Whiddon affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Whiddon is affiliated with Mease Dunedin Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital, St Josephs Hospital.
How does Dr. Whiddon compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Clearwater?
Among the 12 orthopedic surgeons in Clearwater, Dr. Whiddon ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Whiddon is among the highest-volume surgeons in Clearwater.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Whiddon practices?
Mease Dunedin Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Morton Plant Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Josephs Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Clearwater, Florida
Dr. Whiddon's 161 Medicare procedures are above the Clearwater average of 134. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Clearwater.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John Kilgore | 166 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Cooper | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Cheong | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Aaron Koslin | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mitchell Herrema | 110 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Wisotsky | 72 | Shoulder |
Patient Resources & Verification
Research reviews, verify credentials, and check official quality data through these trusted sources:
Medicare Care Compare and NPI Registry are official U.S. government sources. Google reviews reflect user-submitted feedback. OrthoProcedures.com does not verify the accuracy of third-party review content.